Jun 17 Try These Thrifty Meals for Serious Gains

These meals are quick, easy and simple, but best of all are perfect for a healthy diet.

If you want to keep fit then try these thrifty recipes from Matrix Nutrition (trust us they know how to maintain a fierce bod). Better yet you can also get a 15% student discount from them as well - yep, they're far too kind. :)

SPICY TUNA PASTA BAKE

The don of student meals is actually a great meal for staying in shape! It’s easy to make, full of protein and with a spicy tweak, it’s even tastier than usual.

Ingredients

400g wholemeal pasta

50g butter

600ml milk

2 medium size cans of dolphin friendly tuna

4 spring onions, sliced

50g plain flour

1tsp of mustard

1tsp of smoked paprika

1 large red chilli, chopped

100g cheese (optional)

Makes 4 portions.

Method

1. Cook the pasta.2. Melt the butter then stir in flour. Add in the milk and whisk. 3. Bring to the boil to thicken the sauce, then remove from the heat and add the mustard, smoked paprika and chilli.4. Stir in the tuna, pasta and spring onions then place in a shallow dish under a medium grill.5. Top with cheese if using, and heat until browned.

Tip: For extra nutrition, chuck in some sweetcorn too.

HOMEMADE PROTEIN AND RAISIN BARS

These are perfect for a pre gym (or exam) snack. Lots of energy, filling and made with lots of cupboard essentials, so you don’t need to go out shopping.

Ingredients

1 cup of oats

1 cup chocolate Whey Isolate protein powder

1 cup seed mix of your choice

5 tbsp crunchy peanut butter

1 tbsp light honey

1 cup of raisins

1 tbsp cinnamon

2 eggs (beaten)

200g dark chocolate

Makes as many as you like depending on the size of bar!

1. Preheat the oven to 190c and grease and line a medium-sized baking tray.2. Mix dry ingredients together in a large mixing bowl.3. In a separate bowl, combine the honey and the peanut butter, then whizz in the microwave for 15-20 seconds. The mixture should be runny.4. Combine the two mixtures together, then add the eggs to bind all of the ingredients together and stir thoroughly.5. Pour the mixture into the greased baking tray and level as best you can (the raisins and nuts may make it a bit bumpy, but don’t worry too much)6. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes.7. Remove the bars from the oven and allow to cool slightly.8. While cooling, melt the chocolate and spread evenly over the protein bars9. Place the baking tray in the fridge until the chocolate is set hard. Then get out, chop up into bars, and enjoy!

MEXICAN SPLIT PEA SOUP (V)

No meat, but plenty of protein. Grains and peas are really cheap, so if you can ever make something with them, you’re sure to save money.

Ingredients

Coconut oil

2 large onions, chopped

½ tsp of salt

1 tsp chilli powder

1 tbsp cumin

1 tsp cayenne pepper

2 cups of dried split yellow/green peas, rinsed

5 cups of water

Worcester sauce

Juice of a lemon (keep the zest for serving)

Makes 2-4 portions.

Method

1. Fry the onions in the coconut oil until soft and brown.2. Add the spices and fry for 30 seconds.3. Add split peas and water, then leave to simmer for around 20 minutes.4. Add the lemon and Worcester sauce, then blend.5. Leave to simmer for 5 mins.6. Serve with the zest.

SUPER SIMPLE NUTTY OVERNIGHT OATS

If you haven’t embraced overnight oats, you will. Make them the night before in minutes, and then you have a super healthy breakfast ready to go before your day gets going.

Ingredients

40g Greek yoghurt

100ml almond milk

1 scoop of Whey Matrix protein powder

50g of oats

1 tbsp seed mix

1 tbsp of peanut butter

1 tbsp hazelnuts

1 tbsp pomegranate seeds

A pinch of cinnamon (optional)

Method

1. Mix the yoghurt, almond milk, protein powder and cinnamon in a bowl, then stir in the oats. 2. Transfer to an airtight container and leave in the fridge.3. Before eating, add the all the seeds and the hazelnuts!

If you whip up any of these meals make sure to snap a pic and tag us on insta @studentbeans!